Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1887-01-15

LETTER FRGM I0WA.
= Glimpse at Eastern Winter Wliicl,
Caiifornians Happily Escaped

Glimpse at an Eastern Winter which
Caiifornians Happily Escaped
WATERLOO Ga), January l, 1887.
EDS. RECORD UNION Christmas came
with pelting snow-storm, but the cold
was not severe. 1t was the first sleighing
of the winter, and sleigh-bells jingled mer-
rily. The day was generally enjoyed, in
old-time fashion, in family reunions and
festivities. Services in all the churches
were appropriate and well attended. Some
of the churches varied the usual exercises
by distribution of gifts to the poor. They
consisted of every variety of provisions,
groceries, clothing and money, making
glad many poverty stricken homes with
the abundance of Christian charity.
Following the joys of Christmas comes
the close of the year-a time of thought
fitness to communities as well as individ-
uals; q taking account OF stock, Temem-
brance OF the blessings that the vanishing
year has brought before we are launched
upon the current of the unknown and I'M
tried.
An Eastern winter, although too cold
for Californians has beauty of its own.
The few days Of moderate weather, which
interviewed between the first seventies of
December, and the present hard spell, -
began with dense white mist, which
closely shIouded the landscape all the
| morning hours. About noon the curtain
! lifted the sun broke out disclosing a rare
| spectacle. Every tree and shrub was coated
with film of ice, even the smallest twig,
| flashing in the sun, outlined in dazzling
distinctness against the cloudless intense
| blue, like the body of heaven in, its clear
ness of a northern winter sky. 1t was
sight for sair cen, and while the eve
feasted upon it light breeze swept the tree
tops, and down came the dainty, sparkling
crystals, filling the air with a shower of
tiny stars. The only element of life ir the
scene was the bright-coated jay, with his
harsh cry, exultant jubilant, defiant of
winter. He is always ready TO welcome
the sunshine, noisily busy with the few
berries, which still cling to the stems of the
mountain ash though where he hides,
and how he lives. wher the fierce tempest
sweep the lands, the dear Father, who
takes care of him. alone knows.
The lady managers of the Magdalen Ref
ure for fallen women, at Des Moines, have
made most earnest and touching appeal
10 the public to help sustain their charge
| through the bitter winter weather. En-
| dowed by the State, the institution is de-
pendent on voluntary aid for current ex-
| penses. They ask for food, fuel and cloth
ing. Very pathetic is their story. Most of
| the inmates are mothers, their ages rang
| ing from % to IA years. Their infants are
provided with homes outside the institu-
| ton as soon as possible. Very few remain
over two years. These poor girls are not
reclaimed from the gilded palaces of sin,
but mostly from the shadows of grim pow
erty to which disgrace had added a deeper
shade One of them burst into tears at
the gift of a white apron, saying that she
had wanted one all her life, but had never
been able to obtain it. Would that their
cause might reach the hearts of some of
our wealthy Californians who have much
of this worlds goods, and that they would
send New Years gift to these erring but
penitent sisters.
The thermometer registers DO below
zero to-day. with biting norther, which
makes it seem even colder than the figures
indicate. This first week in January is
usually considered the backbone of the
winter" 1t seems to be pretty stiff one
this time.
Thank God for California May happy
New Year fiji its favored homes with bless
ings. May its people be worthy of their
beloved land. Respectfully. F.